New Wine

Grape Harvest 2014

We finally arrived in November and the first taste of the wines of the Grape Harvest 2014 is on the shelves. The Novello(new wine), obtained by a fermentation method used in France for the production of a wine called Beaujolais nouveau, until a few years ago was little known. To understand how is it possible to drink a red wine after a so short period, without going through the slow maturation and aging, we must describe the technique, carbonic maceration, with which it is produced: the grape bunches are not de-stemmed and crushed and are placed at the internal of a steel container saturated with carbon dioxide and left to ferment for a period ranging from several hours to a few days. In this particular environment, in the absence of oxygen, the grapes initiate an intracellular fermentation that produces multiple effects: lowers the acidity, enhances the fruity aromatic components, increases the content of glycerin. Once removed from the container, the grapes are then conveyed to a normal alcoholic fermentation. The resulting wine has a purple color, fruity scents with marked notes of berries, soft and harmonious taste. The low content of tannins and low acidity, make it unsuitable for the preservation and it should be consumed as soon as possible to fully enjoy its features.

The italian history of Novello started in 1989 as a result of DM 06/10/1989, and is characterized by varying degrees of success, after a growing success between the customers(but not with reviewers), and after the halcyon days when its consumption was fashionable, now it is experiencing a period of decline. We recommend you to try it, without expecting the structure and the complexity of an aged wine, but enjoying its intense aromas and try it with autumn dishes(see post) with which it combines very well!!!

GuideWinesof Italy(2015) by L’Espresso

Sardinian Wines at the top

The Guide Wines of Italy (2015) by “L’Espresso” is arrived in bookstores, now in its fourteenth edition, and it is again a very detailed overview of the oenological reality of our country, indeed they tasted about 25,000 wines. The wines of Sardinia continue to amaze (driving crazy also the USA gourmets!) with great and mighty reds such as Cannonau(see post), and aromatic whites such as Vermentino(see post) and Malvasie (see post), and spectacular Vernacce! And what is most surprising, than the now undeniable quality of the sardinian vines Cannonau and Vermentino, is the excellent quality-price ratio of the sardinian wines…try to believe!

Barrosu Reserve 2012

Suchino’nau 2013

Barrosu Ris.Franziska 2011

Antico Gregori – Contini

Entemari 2012

Marchese di Villamarina 2009

Based on what is reported by an article in a local newspaper (La Nuova Sardegna, ed), for a maximum price of about 14 € we can bring home a great sardinian wine. For example, a Cannonau di Sardegna Nepente Oliena “sos usos de una ia” 2010 by Cantina Gostolai (L’Espresso 17.5 rating / 20) costs about € 13, while a Vermentino di Gallura Giogantinu Sup. 2013 by Cantina Soc. del Giogantinu (L’Espresso vote 17/20) costs about € 8, or even a Vernaccia di Oristano Jughissa 2006 Cantina Cooperativa della Vernaccia (L’Espresso 16.5 rating / 20) costs about 12 € (source: La Nuova Sardegna). As you can see by yourself, the cost compared to more famous wines is very competitive (in Sardinia you might find even less), given the vote, not only of the Guide Wines of Italy (2015) by “L’Espresso”, but also of all the major guides such as Gambero Rosso or Bibenda.

So what are you waiting for … rush to buy a great bottle of Sardinian wine !!!

The Best Red and White Wine

Awards to sardinian wines from Bibenda and Gambero Rosso

For the experts of Bibenda, the book guide to the best wines, brandies and restaurants in Italy, now in its sixteenth edition, 7 sardinian wines were awarded the “5 grappoli” recognition. For their experts the best are:

Alghero Rosso Marchese di Villamarina 2009 | SELLA & MOSCA

Barrua 2011 | AGRICOLA PUNICA

Capichera 2012 | CAPICHERA

Is Arenas Carignano del Sulcis Riserva 2010 | SARDUS PATER

Terre Brune Carignano del Sulcis Superiore 2010 | CANTINA SANTADI

Turriga 2010 | ARGIOLAS

Antico Gregori Cuvée Vernaccia di Oristano | CONTINI

Instead the Gambero Rosso Guide 2015 has assigned the “3 Bicchieri” to 13 Sardinian wine, confirming between historical cellars and new producers, the excellence of the wines of this land. The list of red wines goes from Cannonau to Carignano and up to the emerging Mandrolisai, while among whites is confirmed Vermentino that is astounding, even in territory of Usini and Serdiana.

Volcanic Wines 2014

Mogoro – Sardinia

On 26 and 27 September at Mogoro(in the province of Oristano, Sardinia) you will experience two intense days dedicated to the volcanic wines(or magmatic), there will be experts and journalists and 15 wineries and volcanic wine producers. Two days rich of debates and promotions of the territory with guided tours and tastings of the local food and wine products, a special trip in the universe of those wines that come from magmatic soils. Unique soils that give to the wines of those territories, flavors and quality not found elsewhere. Friday, 26 of September, the day will begin at 9:00 am with a visit to the Winery of Mogoro (who joined the Consortium Volcanic Wines), located near a dormant volcano, Mount Arci, and will continue, only for professionals, with samples, tastings and visits to other wineries in the area. The second day, Saturday, 27 of September, will be rich from early morning, of meetings to be attended by the protagonists of the national wine scene: experts, professors, journalists and writers. At 13.00 there will be a tasting of local products.

To go to Mogoro and live this intense “two days,” from Cagliari follow the SS131 in the direction of Oristano. After the junction for Sardara, turn right in the direction of Mogoro (GPS coordinates of “The Nuraghe” Winery of Mogoro: 39.658531, 8.741054). From Sassari follow the SS131 in the direction of Oristano/Cagliari. After passing Oristano, continue in the direction of Cagliari, after the junction for Uras, turn in the direction of Mogoro (GPS coordinates of “The Nuraghe” Winery of Mogoro 39.658531, 8.741054).
In the area you can also visit the wineries, “Cantina del Bovale” Terralba(see our post about Bovale Sardo – GPS coordinates: 39.721761, 8.652505) and “Cantina Su Entu” (GPS Coordinates: 39.562868, 8.899895) of San Luri.

Turriga Red Wine IGT – 2010

Serdiana(CA) – Sardinia

The Turriga, 2010 vintage, by the winery Argiolas from Serdiana reached the fifth place in the Top 50 of “Best Italian Wine Awards 2014” . Great satisfaction for the Cantina Argiolas for this outstanding award which reconfirms the great quality of this red wine, IGT, with intense ruby ​​red color, with great structure, character deeply Sardinian, made with grapes Cannonau, Carignano, Bovale Sardo, Malvasia Nera.

The jury of this event, was born from an idea by Luca Gardini, Best Sommelier in the world WSA 2010 and by Andrea Grignaffini food and wine expert, and was composed of some of the most important professionals and opinion leaders of the Italian wine industry and of international experts in food and wine tasting of the most important publications in the field.

Our congratulations go to the Cantina Argiolas, for the result and for his commitment to search for constant improvement of its wines!

Grape Harvest 2014

Decrease in quantity but quality improvement

The harvest has already started, the first few days in late August for the harvest of the grapes for the production of the vino novello(new wine), wine intended for a specific target of consumer that continues to appreciate this wine with fresh and young tastes, even if during the last years is a bit less required than before. According to preliminary data is expected a reduction of the harvest of the grapes, compared to the 2013 grape harvest (here in Sardinia is predicted to fall by 10% – source Assoenologi), but wine will be of excellent quality. These are the first official data, for the final ones you have to wait until the end of October, because the harvest of the grapes is not finished yet and will be the climate in September and part of October (for the late varieties) to give a definitive answer on the quality of production.

If the next few weeks will be characterized by sunshine and little rain, we will get fresh and fragrant white wines, and red wines with the right balance. Here in Sardinia last winter was atipical and the rains from October to July were lower than 2013 (with the exception of the area of Olbia and the North-East of Sardinia, where instead there has been a flood which unfortunately led tragic consequences to the people and the environment), we never had a wintry weather, snowfall has been scarce or non-existent. In 2014, the months of June, July and August showed low amounts of rainfall and optimal ventilation, so it is expected a good quality of grapes and if the climate will continue to be the same even in the month of September and in October, then you can hope for an excellent year!

In the next post we will keep you updated on the progress of the harvest, events and appointments from the world of wine. Follow us!

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